President's Report

Welcome to everyone for the start of another great season of golf. Opening Day drew a large number of members out to play and enjoy the summer conditions.

Well the first month of the year has ended, perhaps it’s because we are usually so busy in January that it’s over before you realise. The Club has had a very busy time with large numbers of members, visitors and green fee players taking advantage of the excellent run of weather we have had in the past few weeks. A large number of Campers are making use of the site and facilities.

Tee times have come under pressure particularly on Saturday afternoons and Sundays as we look to accommodate everyone for a game.

Can I please remind all members our Starters do their best to ensure people get their game underway with minimum disruption. That said, all players can assist with this by arriving early and being ready to start at their allocated start time.

The Executive held the first meeting for the year this week and already we have a list of work ahead of us. Things to do include; Budgets and Finance for 2025/26 and review planning for 26/27 season requirements. Staff cover for leave, Sponsors and Sponsorship, and assigning a few names to start our Project lists to be included within the 5 year plan. Key points are to complete the bar renovations (a replacement bottle fridge has been purchased), review the state of our Clubhouse roof to explore the opportunity to complete a gable roof over the entire Clubhouse, This would allow us to proceed with solar panels to cut power bills and ensure savings into the future. Also on the list is to revamp the outdoor seating area to create a more user friendly environment (watch this space). Lots to do for the next few months!

At McLeans Island all players are required to carry a sand bucket. Please remember to fix your pitch marks and replace your divots. These are two key things to help maintain a quality playing area.

Finally, some points for ensuring you play the game in the spirit it was intended.

All players are expected to play in the spirit of the game by:

·       Acting with integrity – e.g. by following the Rules, applying all penalties, and being honest in all aspects of play.

·       Showing consideration to others – e.g. by playing at a prompt pace, looking out for the safety of others, and not distracting the play of another player.

·       Taking good care of the course – e.g. by replacing divots, smoothing bunkers, repairing ball-marks, and not causing unnecessary damage to the course.

Enjoy your golf.

Chris Collins, President

Captain's Comment

Hello and welcome to the new season and now February is here perhaps some Summer weather!

     While the gloomy Summer has not been great for sunbathing, it has been good for the course, it's never been greener at this time of year and the greens are lovely to putt on. They must be good to hit into as well, if you don't believe me, try asking Jonny Marshall, who had a glorious hole in one on hole two on opening day. Well done that man!

     Upcoming this Month there is a basic Stableford this Saturday for Waitangi weekend. Then the Irish on the 14th, that's the one where you score usual Stableford on the first six holes, double it on the next six, and triple stabies on the last six! 4BBB par for the R J Williams trophy on the 21st, Final Saturday is Yellows for all. It's all in the programme, which you can pick up from the office if you haven't already. Also pay the $20 for the shoot out next time you're in, to give yourself the most chances of qualifying.

Remember the course is shut for 3 days from Monday 23rd as we renovate and sand the greens.

     On the competition front, the over 60's have played well, forth with a round to come. Metro A has a fair crack at making the top four. Metro B, not so much, they are having a tough season, and Pressies is about mid table, still plenty of games to come.

     Rules; remember we are 30cm placing on any fairway all year round. Those long "hay" areas are penalty areas, meaning hit your ball if you can, but if you can't find it or can't hit it, then take a one stroke penalty and drop where it last crossed. Native tree patches with no fence are all part of the course now. Enjoy playing the par three second hole short for now. The teeing area will be great once it's ready.

     Have fun out there, and I'll see you sometime, Captain Warren.

Ladies Captain

Well this first month of 2026 just flew past. 

Interclub is underway, the Monday team has had 2 wins and the Sunday team started with a loss, so there is only onwards and upwards for them. 

We have had to revise the date for our ladies 2BBB tournament, the new date to put in your diary is Friday 15th May.   We would love a strong turnout of McLeans ladies to compete in this.  If you know of anyone who may want to be a sponsor for the tournament, please let me know.

Happy Golfing.

Sue

From the shop

MIGC Calendars and Club Programs

There are still a few calendars available to purchase - $20 each. Anyone who would like a club program, please pick one up from the shop. You can also view the program on our website

New staff

We are very pleased to welcome Mika Tsuchiya and Lucy Scott to the McLeans Island Clubhouse team. Mika has started in the shop - alternating with Alan Smythe on the Sunday morning shift, and Lucy will be starting in he bar in a couple of weeks.

Mika is one of our midweek members and aside from golfing, enjoys going to the gym and surfing. She is originally from Japan and has been living in New Zealand for 10 years.

Lucy is currently studying for a BA majoring in English and enjoys exploring tthe New Zealand outdoors, traveling, especially in Europe, cooking and reading.

Please go ahead and introduce yourselves when you get the chance.

Range balls

It's great to see our range balls getting loads of use, and we'd like all members to know that they can get them for just $3 per bucket with our members-only 10-bucket concession card.

A few reminders about range use - no collecting when others are hitting. Even if you've started collecting, please leave the range if someone turns up to hit. It is not up to them to wait for you to finish picking up. Also, if the shop is open it is expected that you will use MIGC range balls. This is all aimed at keeping members and visitors safe, and hopefully preventing too many of our precious range balls from going missing. Thanks in advance for helping us out.

Lost property

We've had a nearly new McLeans Island vest handed in a few weeks ago and I'm sure someone will be missing it.

There is also a table of general lost property - mostly clubhead covers - in the clubhouse. If you find anything that is yours, please pick it up. If you see something you want, we're taking gold coin donations, and will get rid of what's left at the end of the month.

Volunteers at McLeans

As we start our 57th year it is a great time to appreciate and thank our many awesome volunteers, and ask if there is anyone out there who might be interested in joining their ranks. 

There are a million and one things around the course and clubhouse that are as good as they are because of the care and effort of our volunteers.

If you have a bit of spare time and want to contribute to the club, we'd love to hear from you. 

Carpet cleaning 23 February

With the course closed to scarify the greens, this is the perfect opportunity to give the carpet in our clubrooms its annual hairwash. If you're up for helping on this one, you'll get a home made morning tea, a great workout and some wonderful company. Please contact George in the office to find out more. Full training and all equipment provided, just bring a determined attitude and some good jokes.

Coming up in February

Monday 9 February - She Loves Golf evening from 5pm

Every Tuesday - Womens Match of the Day 9am tee off

Every Wednesday - Twilight Golf from 5pm (until 1 April)

Every Thursday - Stableford Tournament 9.30 tee off

Every Saturday - Mens and Womens Match of the day

Course closed for scarifying Mon 23, Tue 24 and Wed 25